Some of Ireland's leading rally drivers hit out this weekend at the "boy racer" culture on both sides of the border. Rally Sports' "best newcomer" Shaun Gallagher said those who engaged in the sub-culture have nothing to do with his sport.

"I don't think these people have a clue about the safety provisions we have in rally cars," he said. "A rally car can cost anything up to £700,000 - a lot more than the souped-up £2,000 car we see on the roads, ignoring every law that has been written."

The driver said the cars, known as "hot hatches", were not able to take an impact at the speeds they are driving and are "lethal weapons".

He added: "There is little point in trying to emulate what we do on the road - not only do we have the equipment, we have years of experience."

Gary Jennings from Armagh who is also competing in the World Rally tournament said he shared Gallagher's disdain for the "boy racers".

"Over the last few years we have witnessed too many tragedies on the road. Regrettably, many of these are caused by speed or drink/drug driving and statistics prove the victims are primarily young men."

A spokesperson for the Road Traffic Corps said: "The last World Rally Championships were an unprecedented success with traffic offences and arrests down on a normal weekend. We had a large presence on the roads with speed checks all along the rally route and beyond. We will be doing the same this year."

The Irish leg of the 2009 World Rally Championships runs from 28 January to 1 February.